Isko will sign Congress-approved ABS-CBN franchise if elected president

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 22) — Presidential aspirant Francisco "Isko Moreno" said he will not block the operation of ABS-CBN if its franchise application passes Congress.

"I made it clear: rule of law. If Congress gives you such privilege and approves it, I will sign it," the former actor said on Wednesday as he officially declared his 2022 plans.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who has repeatedly accused ABS-CBN of not paying taxes despite the allegation being refuted by government agencies, earlier threated to block the broadcaster's operations even if it gets a franchise.

The media giant went off the air on May 2020 for the first time since the martial law regime of late President Ferdinand Marcos to comply with National Telecommunications Commission's order. It was officially shut down in July after the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied its application for a fresh 25-year franchise.